University of Minnesota wants Washington to wear throwbacks on November 2

Posted by Mike Florio on August 7, 2014, 10:28 PM EDT

AP

The University of Minnesota wants the Vikings not to mention the name of the Washington franchise in connection with that team’s visit to the Land of 10,000 Lakes on November 2. The landlord of the stadium in which the Vikings will play for the next two seasons also has a request for the Washington team.

Bring your throwbacks.

According to Ian Shapira of the Washington Post, the University has requested that Washington not wear its current jerseys, since they bear the name and logo regarded as offensive by some in the Native American community. The University of Minnesota apparently wants the team to wear not the current throwbacks, but a prior version with white shirts and yellow helmets containing an “R” as the logo.

Those offended by the current name and logo include the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which donated $10 million toward the construction of the stadium. That group issued a statement on Thursday explaining that it and other tribes oppose the name, and that the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is working with the University of Minnesota to “minimize the damage that could be done by invoking the name in a place that respects and honors the Minnesota Native American community.”

Apart from asking Washington to not wear its usual uniforms, the University of Minnesota wants the Vikings to not sell Washington apparel or paraphernalia at the stadium, that the team’s name not be mentioned by the public address announcer, that the team’s name not appear on the scoreboard at the stadium, and that the team’s name be omitted from the program and other materials relating to the game.

” the University of Minnesota wants the Vikings to not sell Washington apparel or paraphernalia at the stadium, that the team’s name not be mentioned by the public address announcer, that the team’s name not appear on the scoreboard at the stadium, and that the team’s name be omitted from the program and other materials relating to the game.”

In other words they want them to forfeit the game, right?

themeccalambeaufield says:Aug 7, 2014 10:33 PM

Anything to try and get in the news hey Minnesota because your two football teams suck and are irrelevant. Those 2 sorry teams are a combined 1-20-1 recently against the mighty Wisconsin teams. Wow that is atrocious!

Sadly, i disagree with the popular belief to imply sanctions on the Redskins.
Although, i do offer a solution. Cgange who they play against. Instead of the skins, substitute the jags…they’re both equally formidable in 2014.

There is no way the NFL is going to comply with the university of Minnesota, as this would cost them hundreds of thousands in concession sales. Using the throwback jerseys wouldn’t work either, as teams are required to use the sane helmets in every game, even with alternate/throwback uniforms. It’s fair to find the name offensive, and to want a change. However, it’s unreasonable to expect these changes, due to the disdain of the name.

If the Washington Football Franchise can freely wear what it feels is alright, then the contributors of $10,000,000 to the stadium the team hopes to play in can have a say as well.

Keep the name if you want, R*dskins Nation. No one will force you to change it. But know that freely having YOUR opinion means that others will freely express theirs. And if they’ve got 10 million of them, be prepared to listen.

What a bunch of liberal BS. They already agreed to let an NFL team play there and get all the money and other perks that go along with it. Why on Earth would the Redskins go along with this when they are already refusing to change their name in the first place?

All Minnesota is doing is gonna make skins mad, keep it up pro football talk, I love the hate..REDSKINSREDSKINSREDSKINSREDSKINSREDSKINSREDSKINSREDSKINSREDSKINS.. YUP I SAID IT. It comes fluid off the tongue

mogogo1 says:Aug 7, 2014 10:57 PM

This is getting absurd. The Vikings should tell the college to pony up for any lost sales if no memorabilia can be sold. And the NFL is going to eventually need to grow a spine and let them know they don’t dictate what the billion dollar industry does.

Oklahoma is a word that was made up by the native American missionary Allen Wright. He combined two Choctaw words, “ukla” meaning person and “humá” meaning red to form the word that first appears in a 1866 Choctaw treaty. Oklahoma means “red person.”

Guess who’s next?

stampnhawk says:Aug 7, 2014 11:05 PM

LOL…at this point, all you can do is LOL.

Vikings shouldn’t wear theirs than, ever, with their long history of raping and pillaging across Europe, and more than likely, the indigenous people in North America when they landed here.

I don’t care one way or the other about this, or I didn’t, but after reading this I hope there’s a bunch of Redskins fans that sing Hail to the Redskins constantly throughout the game.

If the University of Minnesota wants to be morally superior here why don’t they donate the money they’ll make from this game to native causes?

thenewenglandpatriots12 says:Aug 7, 2014 11:11 PM

The NFL in the future will only have colors for names like the Minnesota Purple and Yellows and Baltimore Purple and Black so noone gets offended

livenbreathefootball says:Aug 7, 2014 11:11 PM

It’s the legal name of the team. If they are so offended, maybe the University of Minnesota should just tell the Vikings to forfeit the game so the Redskins don’t come anywhere near their precious stadium.

mblue24 says:Aug 7, 2014 11:12 PM

This is BS. Go Dan and the Redskins. Don’t back down.

wheels579 says:Aug 7, 2014 11:13 PM

This is the height of hypocrisy. Both the state and college are named in reference to a race of people whose land was stolen and families were either displaced or murdered. Aside from whatever legal rights they surely signed away in their agreement with the Vikings, this is one of the dumbest arguments by a so-called educational institution. They accept the NFL’s money, they keep their big mouths shut. Their opportunity was to say no to the Vikings playing there, but THAT would anger folks more important to them than Native Americans.

These are discussions that should have happened prior to taking the millions of dollars in payment and stadium updates. As a U alum I’d prefer you worry how to build a top 20 team in that stadium our tax money built you rather than what jerseys the teams you rented out the building to wear!

Oh and while you are taking this high and mighty stance are you also going to extend it to the State High School league teams who play some of their state tourney games at your venue’s as I’ve seen the Warriors skate in the consolation bracket in your building with out any statements from the Mdewakanton or your president.

So if you take a stance I’d imagine it should be across the board not just when it’s going to get you in the news, and make the Vikings look bad no matter how they handle it.

mshawn75 says:Aug 7, 2014 11:22 PM

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Communiy consists of 658 members (according to 2010 census) on tribal land. BUT, they own 2 casinos, a mall, a skating rink, etc… If U of Minn. doesn’t want the game, just move it to FedEX.

Mmm what I’ve learned while in mn is the other tribes do not care for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux tribe. They do not allow some of their own tribe members be part of the tribe because of $$. At least one other tribe from north MN tried to put up a casino in the Minneapolis St. Paul area to partner with the government to help finance the new vikings stadium in addition to provide $$ for that tribe … And the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux opposed when they are all basically millionaires.

What damage? What damage comes from the name of one of the richest franchises in American sports? The Redskins name has honored the Native American community for over three quarters of a century. This sudden political correctness stuff is what is most offensive. With each little thing that is deemed “politically incorrect”, a little bit of our freedom, something this country was founded on, dies.

The university if Minnesota had better make the same “requests” of the university of Illinois Fighting Illini the next time they play in their house or the automatically brand themselves as total hypocrites.

All they care about is publicity. State your case and move on. They don’t have the right to insist on all this.

cjforpresident says:Aug 8, 2014 12:32 AM

The arrogance that led to the ethnic cleansing of the Native American Nations continues with Daniel Snyder. I traveled through Seneca Nation territory a few weeks ago, and did so with the utmost respect, not so much for the American ideal, but with respect for those who came before me… I caught and released, I left no negative mark on the environment, and I thought often about what it would have been like to live as a tribe, one with the land. I couldn’t help it.

Daniel Snyder can’t help it either… he’s just a clueless arrogant aristocrat. The time will come… and soon… regardless of what social backlash might occur, that truth and good will rise above arrogance and evil… the ‘love’ of money is the root of all evil. Daniel Snyder is ‘in love’ with money, or he would do the right and true thing.

This is just unreal. 4th District Congresswoman McCollum I’m so happy to have moved from your district considering you are the one that started this rhetoric.

Living in this state with you an elected official wasting your time about a name of a football team for 3 hour event – that will be forgotten about 30 seconds after it is over – when we have 10,000 other more pressing issues to deal with such as allowing our children quality educations and providing health care to Vets that risked their lives so you can sit your your butt and write your little letters…you disgust me.

And you cannot even use this being an election year as an excuse to get your name out there as you have won handily the last 6 times you have ran. Get a life and do some real work for your constituents and the people that gave you your job. If my boss found me wasting this much time at work on something so fruitless tomorrow would be my last day. When is yours?

cherokee98 says:Aug 8, 2014 12:40 AM

I just think Univeristy of Minnesota wants to create ticket sales. Next, they will start bragging about how Vince Lombardi designed these uniforms himself…

kchoya says:Aug 8, 2014 12:44 AM

Why don’t they just ask the Redskins not to show up?

joshfluke says:Aug 8, 2014 12:48 AM

All of the fans in attendance at the game who are tired of this name nonsense should start chanting “Redskins” at the beginning of every quarter. They should also buy Redskins gear to wear to the game. Even the Vikings fans should wear a piece of Redskins gear while also wearing their Vikings gear.

As much as I’m tired of hearing about the “required” Redskins name posting at least once a week, this is the worst. The university can limit or take away the use of the name in everything like a scoreboard or publications, but the jersey change is impossible. The NFL has rules, and based on the fines for wrong cleats for example, don’t make exceptions. Even if the Vikings wore white, the Redskins current throwbacks have a Native American chief emblem on the sleeves and, isn’t the “same helmet all year” rule still in effect? So no leather-looking helmets. The Redskins can’t wear the 2007 throwbacks because their current throwbacks are now in effect for a certain period of time unless they change them, which would have to be after a certain period of time, per NFL rules. The same thing with the helmets could also be in effect, unless they rip the logos off and paint the helmet yellow with whatever stripe colors down the middle. So sorry Univ. of Minnesota, per NFL rules, your request most likely will be denied. I wouldn’t mind seeing other helmets and jerseys because I like them, and not for your reasons. But because the NFL has strict uniform rules, this most likely will not be happening.

Good for them. The only way Synder will finally do the right thing is when his pocketbook is affected. Since UM is allowing the Vikes to use their stadium they definitely have the right to not have slurs thrown around on their field.

I recently read a story about the fellow who designed the Redskins current logo. He was a Native American. I guess in his day he didn’t have a bunch of rich white liberals telling him to be offended by the name Redskin.

Why all of this outcry about the team name? I get that it can be seen as offensive. But, they chant ‘hail to the redskins’ that hardly seems offensive…Also, why is it that out of all the things that the natives could be fighting for, its the team name?? What about this country?? This land was stolen. The team name is in celebration of a heritage.

How about the Redskins just tell the University to go take a flying leap and not show up to their stadium and help them generate revenue for the game?

Seriously, if this is what the University is going to do, then the Redskins should boycott them in return. If we play at your stadium, we have a uniform we wear, we have a logo for our team, and our team has a name that you will announce or else we simply won’t show.

Simple solution: move the game to Chicago. Or Detroit. Or Washington. And in the meantime let’s find out how many Scandinavian natives are embarrassed by the Minnesota franchise who call themselves “Vikings” yet have not conquered anything. Ever.

Good God This gets tiring- If you are offended by the name don’t watch or go to their games- but the last time I checked this was a free country and if this team continues to do well financially, then I guess most people really don’t give a damn about mixing politics with their football – I sure don’t

margegundersonbrainerd says:Aug 8, 2014 1:36 AM

If Washington agrees with this, Minnesota should wear its oldest throwback uniforms also. Not that they’re drastically different, but at least meet them partway.

But they have no problems with the term ‘Scalpers’ being used in regards to those selling tix in the parking lot for profit. Sorry, I couldnt resist.

paoconno says:Aug 8, 2014 3:51 AM

Cue people whining about “PC police” and other BS after reading the headline only…and not the part of the article where the tribes that paid to build the damn stadium are offended by the term “Redskins.” Guess what, you build something…you have a right to help determine what goes on inside.

I’ve a solution. I’m not a Redskins fan… but I understand why native american’s have such an issue with this and it’s a legitimate thing for native americans and the name should be changed.

However… if you are to change the name. The Native american community should be responsible for paying for all redskins merchandise and jersey’s and everything with the redskins logo that they are trying to abolish that people have already paid for.

They should also have to pay for every jersey trade in of whatever size for any player currently on the team to fans. Hats and other memorabilia. You want to take on a big corporation; fine. I’m with yah. You’re not allowed to screw the casual fan in the process.

Lol. I hope Snyder tells the University of Minnesota and the Indian tribe to go pound salt. A University telling an NFL team what to do. Gimme a break. You do realize you are the University of Minnesota right?

Apparently the university of Minnesota doesn’t know the rule that the same helmet must be used through out the year. Unless they plan on paying for the REDSKINS to have their helmets painted the old “R” style then painted back to the regular style, I don’t see it happening. Maybe the Indians will pay for it since they have $10 million laying around to donate to construction of the new stadium.

Really?!
People need to get a grip on reality here and find something constructive to do – they obviously have way too much time on their hands.
I hope the Redskins make record sales of their teams apparel while in Minnesota and that they score 72 points so their name is consistently announced over the PA.

What a bunch of idiots. Look. I grew up in Minneapolis. If they are asking the Redskins not to where a certain uniform, are they going to ask the same from: the Blackhawks, the Indians and the fighting Sioux of North Dakota?

chuckiesez says:Aug 8, 2014 5:46 AM

The entire ‘name’ controversy reminds me of a forest fire. Someone said that they were offended to create a spark, then a politician fanned the flame to get it noticed, then the winds of political correctness run amok spread it over the mountains and plains….

Very fair requests from the landlord. A shame that Snyder has put everyone in this awkward position.

blackqbwhiterb says:Aug 8, 2014 6:02 AM

An interesting conundrum for both the Vikings and obviously the Redskins…..

yooperman says:Aug 8, 2014 6:21 AM

Whoa! They AREN’T selling Washington’s official NFL apparel at that game. Roger will put a stop to that. Vikings are violating the billionaire code of conduct, (section 1, article 1, maximizing profit). No draft pick for you!

Don’t do it. Wear the uniforms that the NFL allows the Redskins the wear. If the people up on Minnesota can’t handle it they can forfeit the game. BTW, I’M offended by the name Vikings. Didn’t they do a lot of bad things? It makes me uncomfortable.

SeenThisB4 says:Aug 8, 2014 6:51 AM

The Redskins should wear what they want that day, they have no contractual obligation to the Vikings or the stadium landlord.

wvtbred says:Aug 8, 2014 7:02 AM

I guess they don’t know that the current logo was designed by a Blackfeet Tribal Leader. Let’s not let that get in the way of using their PC Police badge right?

I find gambling casinos very offensive. Perhaps I, on behalf of all of us who oppose gambling because it destroys a lot of lives, should ask the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which donated $10 million toward the construction of the stadium to close its casino.

bcgreg says:Aug 8, 2014 7:07 AM

Hypocrites. Why don’t you look up and see what actual Vikings did to people. And you welcome the glorification of that to your campus? Nice.

“Yeah, sure. In the midst of a battle against my livelihood which is the REDSKINS name and brand, I will absolutely grant your request to not wear our current uniforms and give in against everything I believe in. It’s only natural that I do so, right?”

I can see why Minnesota would ask. And I can see why Washington won’t comply.

butterstone84 says:Aug 8, 2014 7:28 AM

im white so i guess my judgement on racism isnt that the same of someone who has experienced the extreme other side of racism. But in my opinion this just seems like PR moves to me and not genuine sympathy for the effected.

Isn’t there a rule in place now preventing teams from using different helmets, hence why Washington wore non-matching burgundy helmets with throwbacks last year and tried to make them look different by removing the stripe down the middle?

Those all seem like reasonable requests, provided the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is willing to reimburse the stadium operator and vendors for the lost merchandising revenue. Otherwise, I would tell them to pound sand.

grumpyoleman says:Aug 8, 2014 8:53 AM

The Washington Redskins should get to wear whatever jersey they want because nothing has been banned nor should it.

The plaza, which encompasses the main western entrance to TCF Bank Stadium, is named in honor of the 11 American Indian nations in Minnesota. It features 11 18-foot-tall sky markers-one for each nations.

The soaring structures have glass panels that display tribal flags, a map, images, and historical information specific to each community. The marker for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community includes the derivation of the name: Mde = lake; wakan = sacred or mystic; and ton = dwell at a place (short for tonwanyan). So Mdewakanton translates to “the dwellers from sacred or mystic lake.” Similarly, you’ll learn that Pezihutazizi Kapi, the home for the Upper Sioux Community, means “the place where they dig for yellow medicine.”

What a slap in the face it would be for the team from Washington to come here and fly their flag over this plaza. Do the right thing, Mr. Snyder.

Good to know the Oneida nation is getting publicity in this struggle instead of real issues affecting native americans like alcoholism, drugs, unemployment and suicide. Priorities definitely strait.

GettingNoRespect says:Aug 8, 2014 9:21 AM

The slap in the face is when some few ignore that Native Americans have overwhelmingly supported the Washington Redskins team, and the name and try to force their opinion on them as if they can’t make their own opinion, or that they are wrong in having it.

grumpyoleman says:Aug 8, 2014 9:22 AM

What a slap in the face it would be for the team from Washington to come here and fly their flag over this plaza. Do the right thing, Mr. Snyder.

Or it may be a good chance for those groups to come to a game a watch a team that helps keep their history in peoples minds for something positive…not casinos.

If Washington changed their name/logo, they stand to make a ton of money. Fans will buy up all that new gear in the team store (and might even sell out all their old gear in minutes). There’s precedent for a Washington franchise changing their name for something a lot less offensive. (I still can’t believe the NRA didn’t fight harder for their rights!) I think it’s just a stubborn old man thinking he’s rich and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.

Just wait until it’s YOUR ethnicity being used in such a manner. Then you’ll care.

Any why casinos have anything to do with these comments is ludicrous. Las Vegas won’t close down because some people can’t control their gambling. Their right to operate their business isn’t infringing on anyone else.

I am pretty sure that if this keeps up Dan Snyder should get the league to play the game in Washington.

This is a quote from the Principal at Red Mesa High School.

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year. I am honored to be at Red Mesa High School as their Principal. Red Mesa High School has a long tradition of students who have achieved in academics, and athletes who have excelled on the field. I want to build on that tradition. Redskin Pride will be promoted in all programs and activities this year. We will call it “Pursuing Excellence with honor”.

The school is located on the Navajo Reservation and is a public school. We have nearly 100% Navajo students.

I’m really tired of mucking around in ethical sports discussions, so I’ll just throw in one simple fact, do with it what you will:
The Redskins logo was designed in 1973 by Walter Wetzel, political leader of the Blackfeet Nation and President of the National Congress of American Indians. Wetzel considered the team name “a source of pride and respect”, but wanted the logo to be designed by Native artists to truly reflect the Indigenous community.

So you can talk about the name all you want, but the logo should be a moot point. Just one other thing to keep in mind: when you argue on the internet, it doesn’t matter who wins, because you’re both losers.

bdiesel757 says:Aug 8, 2014 11:23 AM

Sounds to me like the Vikings should just forfeit the game

ruvelligwebuike says:Aug 8, 2014 11:33 AM

When I think of powerful organizations that call the shots, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are not one of them. They are probably the sorriest university in the Big Ten.

Now you’re telling a visiting NFL team what to wear and what you can print or say? Try becoming legitimate at anything in life first.

The hospitality in Minnesota is as warm as the weather.

All this coming from a U of M alum.

vikesandravens78 says:Aug 8, 2014 11:43 AM

I identify myself politically as a conservative, but it’s time to change the name. Language evolves over time, and certain words cannot be used like they once were. There is no way that someone could try to start a franchise today using the team name ‘Redskins.’

The Vikings may have historically been a violent group of people, but the term is the proper identifying word of the group. They no longer exist as a group.

‘Redskin’ is a term which broadly groups all Native American tribes together with one defining feature. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has every right to voice its opinion on the name, since it donated to the new Vikings stadium and the Washington team name applies to the community’s members. If anyone actually bothered to read a history book about Native and white American relations, you’d realize their complaints really aren’t that farfetched.

GettingNoRespect says:Aug 8, 2014 11:47 AM

gofor2with3pointlead, when you say dead wrong, are you referring to the overwhelming majority of Native Americans that the support the Washington Redskins Team and the name. Or the more than 90% plus Native American population of the Red Mesa High School Redskins, who just voted to keep the name?

This is outrageous. Zygi is compensating the U of M well for the use of their facilities. They have no grounds on which to place any restrictions on the Minnesota Vikings or any of their opponents. Zygi will decide what is right for the Vikings in this situation and nothing will detract from the decade of dominance on which we are about to embark.

The Redskins should in turn boycott the game at Minnesota and let that university suffer the lack of sales of tickets and concessions and merchandise that would be sold at the venue.

The only way I would accept that offer from that University is if the Minnesota Vikings change their logo and wear a different uniform as well that doesn’t use the Viking logo or the horns. Vikings were a pillaging race of people that raped and killed thousands of people. The public address announcer should also be required to never say the name “Vikings” as well.

Funny thing is, a overwhelming percentage of native Americans support the Redskins, not only that but Red Mesa High School is on an Indian reservation, and yet over 90% of the school in which is 100% native Americans chose to keep the name Redskins. I’m pretty sure this will infringe on a policy in the NFL. You can’t tell another team, that their legal nickname cant be used at all and that they can’t wear certain uniforms. And do you really think the NFL will allow the loss of revenue from merchandise sales. What will security stop every Redskins fan and tell them to remove their jerseys or shirts. Either the Redskins boycott the game, or U of M needs to act like they have sense. Literally, no we can’t have a team that shows respect and honor towards native Americans, but we will support a team that honors murderers and thieves? Yeah, makes so much sense.

GettingNoRespect says:Aug 8, 2014 1:27 PM

Why? Because an overwhelming majority of Native Americans support the Washington Redskins Team and the name. And more than 90% plus Native American population of the Red Mesa High School Redskins, who just voted to keep the name?

Until that changes, The Washington Redskins shouldn’t either.

httr2136 says:Aug 8, 2014 1:28 PM

Also nfl won’t allow it as they are a profit sharing company, so when they prevent sales, it affects all the owners!

I find it Ironic that it is the states democrats and liberal puppets that are pressing the issue.. Not one Republican Senator signed the letter sent to the Redskins.. AS PER the OXFORD Dictionary

Redskin is first recorded in the late 17th century and was applied to the Algonquian peoples generally, but specifically to the Delaware (who lived in what is now southern New York State and New York City, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania). Redskin referred not to the natural skin color of the Delaware, but to their use of vermilion face paint and body paint.

It was men who later started this term as derogatory… punish those who use it in a negative term leave those who use it is a positive reference of pride..

Maybe I’m going out on a limb here, but I’m pretty sure that those who donated to the building of the stadium did not have a contract stating that they could make decisions about who gets to play there and what they can wear. The SMSC contributed less than 4% of the cost of the stadium. Why don’t we check with the rest of the 96% and see what they think? I’m sure at least half of it was publicly funded. As a Minnesota taxpayer, I say let them wear what they want.

seals1 says:Aug 8, 2014 4:12 PM

These clowns cry all the time and at the end of the day it’s always about the greenback. Maybe if they want to show pride figure a way to get your hands around the youth suicide rates and booze problems and spend less time crying about jerseys.

Drive through the res and see garbage piled everywhere. The pride is lost,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,getting rid of nicknames isn’t going to get it back. Look in the mirror Chief Namechanger.

There casino is 40 mins away from the stadium. Would be quite interesting if a bunch of redskins fans flocked to there Casino/hotel wearing our jerseys, hats and tee shirts, I wonder if they would protest a bunch of Redskins fans playing Black Jack…. Just a thought…

Like it or not until the name is changed, you can not push censorship. It is what it is. You signed a contract knowing they could be playing. Please keep politics out of football. We have had enough of political correctness. Football is our escape from it. If it bothers you, don’t go. We won’t hold it against you.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community owns a casino around 40 mins from University of Minnesota. I wonder if they would mind a Redskins fans wearing there jerseys and team’s”paraphernalia” playing casinos games. Would they object to that? As they line their pockets with a few redskins fans cold hard cash.

httrgfy says:Aug 9, 2014 2:33 AM

The$10 million the tribe donated to build the stadium was taken from non native Americans with actual jobs and not US government hand outs. So the “tribe” donated welfare money.

There is not one person on this thread that has ever called someone a “Redskin” in a derogatory way.

johnnytarr says:Aug 9, 2014 11:18 AM

iowahbr says:
On a prioritized list of 500 problems facing American Indians in the US in 2014 the nickname of the Washington NFL team is at 501. If you think otherwise visit some places in the Dakotas without casinos. Yet this issue is getting all the attention.

steveb9995 says:Aug 9, 2014 12:30 PM

The name will be changed, bank on it. And all you whiners will get to sell your now-a-collectors-item Redskins swag on eBay for inflated prices, and Snyder will get to sell jerseys etc with the new team name, and you guys will line up to buy them.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community owns a casino around 40 mins from University of Minnesota. I wonder if they would mind a Redskins fans wearing there jerseys and team’s”paraphernalia” playing casinos games. Would they object to that? As they line their pockets with a few redskins fans cold hard cash.
———————————————————-
Try it and see. If you make it out of the parking lot, let us know.

The plaza, which encompasses the main western entrance to TCF Bank Stadium, is named in honor of the 11 American Indian nations in Minnesota. It features 11 18-foot-tall sky markers-one for each nations.

The soaring structures have glass panels that display tribal flags, a map, images, and historical information specific to each community. The marker for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community includes the derivation of the name: Mde = lake; wakan = sacred or mystic; and ton = dwell at a place (short for tonwanyan). So Mdewakanton translates to “the dwellers from sacred or mystic lake.” Similarly, you’ll learn that Pezihutazizi Kapi, the home for the Upper Sioux Community, means “the place where they dig for yellow medicine.”

What a slap in the face it would be for the team from Washington to come here and fly their flag over this plaza. Do the right thing, Mr. Snyder.
———————————————————-

Fantastic post! My wife and I just got back from Ft. Snelling, the sight of the largest mass execution in history, when 38 participants in the 1862 Dakota war were put to death. As many as 300 more women and children died in the “internment camp” outside the gates while waiting to be forcibly relocated to reservations in the Dakotas.

the moronic libs creating this false controversy are using native americans and trying to erase the memory of their bravery and very existence… all they care about are free money from casinos and diverting from all the lib failures damning our country

UMinny is a lib craphole… and casino owning native americans are a bunch of hypocrits and leeches off their own people… real native americans and real americans know this
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What “non lib craphole” did you graduate from?

The NFL has a new rule that if you wear alternate uniforms the shell has to be the same shell as your normal helmet with different decals.

That’s why the Patriots can’t wear their white throwback helmets and the Packers wore plain yellow shells instead of the all brown shells with their blue alternate jerseys last season.
———————————————————-

Patriots have worn their white helmets on several recent occasions. Google “tom brady throwback uniform” and see for yourself.

dcstinks says:
Why is it ok to say a Word that defines the color of an Native American and not the word that was used to describe African Americans?
I dont get it?

It needs to be banned.
Period.
There should be no toleration for this
_______________________________
Because no one is using the name to define a color of Native Americans, it’s the name of a football TEAM. Unlike the word used to described African Americans, which by the way, is still being used today to describe African Americans. The word used to describe African Americans isn’t being debated, by our politicians, and I don’t hear any of them asking for it to be banned, as the REDSKINS name is.

The bigger picture and main point is being overlooked here, the problems that occur on Indian reservations, the poverty, lack of education, unemployment, housing, health. But instead, we look at the name a football team uses.

I went to college for quite a while and I guess it was my impression that super-duper political correctness was a feature of most major universities not named Bob Jones University (yes that’s the actual name of an American school).

So go easy on the Gophers, especially when you consider that the Mdewakanton Sioux were major contributors to the stadium.

bleedgreengold says:Aug 12, 2014 8:03 PM

Vikings holding firm. As of two minutes ago they

were selling tickets for the REDSKINS game.

packmanfan says:Aug 13, 2014 1:51 AM

It was the Indians who first discovered America. Not Columbus. He gets a day and yet the Indians still get the shaft and swept under the rug.
Show respect and change the name.

Since when has the Redskins logo been a point of contention? That logo was designed by a Native American, if I’m not mistaken. It’s not cartoonish or anything. Looks like a noble Native American. As far as I know, people have been against the name Redskins, but not the logo. “Just change the name!”, they say. I mean I’m not surprised or anything, considering they already have their sights set on the Chiefs.

and speaking of Gophers.. I have one tearing up holes in my backyard… how do I kill those vermin?

skinsgal4life says:Aug 13, 2014 8:53 PM

If Snyder changes the name, Washington will still be my team. I do think that there are bigger fish to fry–like making sure in the future that a player who punches his wife really pays for the crime. Isn’t that assault for anyone else? She had the right not to press charges, but still what message does that send to young women? That a rich man like Ray Rice can punch you–just make sure you marry him without pressing charges!!! While I don’t want anyone’s feelings to be hurt, it seems to be a stretch that just in the last few years, the name has become offensive. Did American Indians suddenly not like the name in the last 15-20 years? Or is it an issue now because they heard so much about the name being offensive to the minority, that it became offensive to all of them now?

C’mon what’s this country coming to!!?? Why aren’t they proud of the name? You don’t hear the steel workers of Pittsburgh or the Cowboys of Dallas offended by their name why are they…what’s next change the name of the KC Chiefs? Can’t believe I’ve never heard that one being “offensive”.

Orcasite says:Aug 14, 2014 2:40 AM

The University seems to have overlooked the fact that it signed a contract with either the Vikings or the NFL that prevents them from making these silly demands.
I agree with the other commenters: if the Vikings can’t host the game in compliance with NFL rules, let them forfeit or play at FedEx. And sue the University for damages. Just as the University took $10 million from a tiny tribe with a huge casino, it took (or is taking) millions for the use of its stadium by the Vikings. The “right” of the tribe to dictate to a public institution of the state–the University–based on its contribution doesn’t exist, and likely violates state law. The right of the NFL to dictate to the University is something that the University’s lawyers likely agreed to as part of the lease. Get over it.

Orcasite says:Aug 14, 2014 2:44 AM

I am a pacifist of Irish descent and am offended to the core by the Notre Dame nickname and racist mascot, which was used by the Know-Nothings in the 19th century. Please let the NCAA know.

operations666 says:Aug 14, 2014 6:17 AM

LOL. This fake issue has no traction with the public. But please keep doubling down on it! The name will NEVER change. Hail to the Redskins!

dcstinks says:
Why is it ok to say a Word that defines the color of an Native American and not the word that was used to describe African Americans?
I dont get it?

It needs to be banned.
Period.
There should be no toleration for this
_______________________________
Because no one is using the name to define a color of Native Americans, it’s the name of a football TEAM. Unlike the word used to described African Americans, which by the way, is still being used today to describe African Americans. The word used to describe African Americans isn’t being debated, by our politicians, and I don’t hear any of them asking for it to be banned, as the REDSKINS name is.

The bigger picture and main point is being overlooked here, the problems that occur on Indian reservations, the poverty, lack of education, unemployment, housing, health. But instead, we look at the name a football team uses.

Let us get our priorities in order here people!
—————-

Ok So lets get out priorities in order here.
I thought about what you have said.
You are in love with the Redskins, I get it. Its your Team, its your Heart and Pride.
But lets be realistic here, The Redskin name is a term used to identify a native american for their skin color (hence the logo on the side of the helmet) not just to identify a football team.

The Awful word used to describe African Americans is banned, its not allowed to be used at all and people can get sued or arrested for saying it. It also has been the case for many sports issues as well as civil issues. A hockey player calls a minority hockey play the n-word and he can get a fine a penalty and a harsh back lash from organizations also. NFL the N-Word is being used in locker rooms I get it, but on the field of play, it is now drawing flags from refs, even with African Americans are using the term at each other. I coached Inter-City Youth Football in one of the roughest sections in Tennessee. The youth were mostly minorities. I have heard the term a lot, and educated the kids on the ugliness of the word.

The Redskins name, although a tradition and a trademark of a team have the same effect. Yes, they might call themselves Redskins as the African American Community calls each other the N-Word. And its still wrong.